Bar Exam | 25 Things You Should Know

Before you can practice law in the United States, you must become a licensed attorney.

Licensing normally requires passing the bar exam in a specific state, passing an ethics exam, completing a rigorous application, paying fees, and meeting character and fitness requirements after a background check.

In administering the bar exam, most states now leverage the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).

Uniform Bar Exam

What’s the Uniform Bar Exam?

The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is a standardized exam that has been adopted in 33 (and counting) jurisdictions. The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) administers the UBE. The UBE has three parts: the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). The UBE allows you to transfer scores within a certain amount of time from one UBE jurisdiction to another.

For the most updated information regarding which jurisdictions have adopted the UBE, check the NCBE’s official map.

What are some pros and cons of taking the UBE?

Pros

Cons

You can timely transfer your score to other UBE states, allowing you to quickly expand your law practice options.

You pay potentially high fees to transfer from state to state.

You spend less time (and money) taking exams in multiple states.

In addition to different passing thresholds, states can scale final UBE scores differently. That means passing in state A does not necessarily equal passing in state B, or even the same score.

It’s more likely that you’ll only have to take the bar once.

The UBE continually evolves as more jurisdictions adopt it.

Do you have to go to law school to take the UBE?

Almost always. Vermont and Washington are the only jurisdictions that allow the UBE to be taken without attending law school. Aspiring lawyers within these jurisdictions are given the option to apprentice with a practicing attorney or judge for a specified amount of time rather than enrolling in law school. Unsurprisingly, your odds at passing are higher if you attend law school.

How much does it cost to take the UBE?

You can expect to pay between $100 to $1400 to register depending on your jurisdiction.

What are the different parts of the UBE?

The MBE, the MEE, and the MPT. Check out our Tips & Tricks to get a better understanding of each component and of the UBE as a whole.

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How’s each part of the UBE scored? What’s a passing score?

The NCBE scores the MBE component of the UBE. Each jurisdiction scores the MEE and MPT using the NCBE’s point sheets, which is then scaled to the MBE. Your total score is then calculated by the NCBE.

*OH and TX have yet to announce their minimum passing UBE scores.
**We recommend checking your state bar examiners’ website well before taking your exam for information regarding the grading of the MEE and MPT.

How do you register for the UBE?

First, create an NCBE account, which will create a unique NCBE Number allowing you to then register with the state board of bar examiners. Applicants with qualifying disabilities can apply for accommodations. Each jurisdiction sets its own registrations deadlines, so make sure to check your state board’s website for deadlines.

How do you transfer your UBE score to another jurisdiction?

To transfer UBE scores, you must first submit application forms and pay the required fees by that jurisdiction. Then, you should contact the NCBE to request that your official UBE transcript be sent to that jurisdiction. Finally, you should fulfill any additional jurisdiction-specific requirements.

UBE scores are only transferable from one UBE jurisdiction to another. If a jurisdiction administers the MBE, MEE, and MPT but has not adopted the UBE, your UBE score is not transferable to that jurisdiction. Your score must meet or exceed the minimum passing score of the jurisdiction to which you are applying. Just because you pass in your jurisdiction doesn’t mean you’ll be admitted in another. This also means that if you fail in a state with a high minimum score, you can still apply to transfer your score to a jurisdiction where your score would be considered passing.

When do UBE scores expire? What’s the time limit for transferring your UBE score to another UBE jurisdiction?

2yr

25m

3yr

37m

40m

4yr

5yr

IA*

AL

CO*

ID

WA

IL

AK

MO

CT

AZ

ND

KS

DC

RI

ME

OH

UT*

MD

MN

MA

MN

MT

NE

NC

NH*

NJ

NM

NY

OR

SC

TN*

VI

VT*

WV

WY

*UBE scores are accepted if earned within the first period (2 or 3 years). If submitting scores older than that, UBE scores earned within the second period (5 years) are accepted if accompanied by proof of actively practicing law. Check with the applicable bar admission agency for jurisdiction-specific rules.
**TX has not yet announced its time limit for accepting transferred UBE scores.

How many times can you take the bar exam without receiving special permission to retake?

2x

3x

4x

5x

6x

IA

AZ

DC

KY

ID

MD

KS

LA

ND

MT

NH*

RI*

UT

SC

VT

TX

PR

SD*†

WV*

VA

*Includes attempts in other jurisdictions.
†Exception if special permission from South Dakota Supreme Court.

All other jurisdictions haveno published limit on the number of times the bar exam can be taken.

How long do you have to wait to get your UBE score back?

Anywhere from 5 to 16 weeks, depending on your jurisdiction and whether you take the exam in July or February.

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam

What’s the MPRE?

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is an ethics-based exam that is required by almost every jurisdiction in the United States. While the MPRE is generally taken during either the second or third year of law school, most jurisdictions have specific time parameters within which the MPRE must be taken, usually in reference to when the jurisdiction’s bar exam was passed.

MPRE

Subject

Ethical standards of professional conduct.

Format

60 Multiple Choice (50 scored)

Time

2 hours

When

March, August, November

Next test date

August 10, 2019

Jurisdictions

All jurisdictions except Wisconsin and Puerto Rico.

How do you register for the MPRE?

Though the NBCE develops the MPRE, the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) administers it on their behalf. To register for the MPRE, you must first have an NCBE account. You’ll then have to create an MPRE account, using your NCBE Number, on the LSAC website. Through your MPRE account, you will register and select a testing date, a testing center, and the jurisdiction you want your score reported to. Applicants with qualifying disabilities can apply for accommodations.

What deadlines and fees are associated with the MPRE?

The MPRE has a regular registration deadline and a late registration deadline. No registrations are accepted after the late registration deadline—no exceptions. The fee for registering by the regular deadline is $95; the fee for registering by the late deadline is $190 (check the NCBE’s website for registration deadlines).

Registration fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. If you can’t take the test on the date that you originally registered for, you won’t be able to transfer your registration to another test date.

How’s the MPRE scored?

Only 50 of the multiple choice questions on the MPRE are scored. MPRE scores are scaled to a range of 50 to 150 using a process known as equating—taking raw scores and adjusting them to account for differences in difficulty compared to previous exams. The average score is usually around 93.

What’s a passing score on the MPRE?

Each jurisdiction determines the minimum passing score for the MPRE. California and Utah require the highest passing scores (86).

75

77

79

80

82

85

86

AL

SC

NH

AK

TN

AZ

CA

DC

CT*

AR

UT

GA

FL

CO

KY

IL

DE

MS

IN

HI

NJ*

IA

ID

OK

KS

MA

PA

LA

MI

MP

ME

MN

PW

MO

ND

VI

MT

NE

NC

NV

NM

NY

RI

OH

VT

OR

WV

SD

GU

TX

VA

WA

WY

*CT and NJ will accept successful completion of a professional responsibility course in the place of a passing score on the MPRE.
**MD has yet to announce its minimum passing MPRE score.

How do you get your score? How’s it reported to your jurisdiction?

Your MPRE score will be posted to your NCBE account typically within five weeks of taking the exam. But you will only be able to access that score until the next test administration, so you are responsible to access and save your score while it is still available on your account. If you need to obtain your score after it is no longer available on your NCBE account, you must submit a request for an MPRE Unofficial Score Transcript.

Your MPRE score is automatically reported by the NCBE to the designated jurisdiction on your exam registration.

Other Jurisdiction-Specific Requirements

Do you have to complete a jurisdiction-specific component for the bar exam?

Visit the NCBE’s website for a map displaying jurisdiction-specific components.

*Ohio and Texas have not announced if they will require a jurisdiction-specific component.

Since jurisdiction policies and rules can change, you should consult with the applicable bar admission agency for the most current information.

Why might your state administer jurisdiction-specific requirements?

Since the UBE is uniform, it does not test state-specific law. Thus, your state may choose to require that you pass an exam or complete additional courses on state-specific law.

Check out your state bar examiners’ website before registering to make sure you have met all the requirements.

What’s the Character and Fitness requirement?

Many jurisdictions require that those applying to take the UBE provide relevant background information to ensure that the individual is fit to practice law. This investigation is likely to include information such as a lack of candor, criminal record, untreated substance abuse or mental illness, and financial irresponsibility. The NCBE conducts these character and fitness tests on behalf of some U.S. jurisdictions. Check out the NCBE’s website to see a sample character and fitness application.

What can you do if you’re worried that past/present conduct will keep you from passing the Character and Fitness requirement?

First, be completely honest on all your applications. As previously mentioned, your candor is an important element in passing the Character and Fitness investigation. When your dishonesty is discovered—even if you’ve remedied the situation—you’re not likely to be admitted to the bar. It’s not uncommon for applicants to be denied admission for a lack of candor, even for seemingly minor things. However, complete candor can offer assurance to the committee that you are trustworthy and have fully accepted responsibility for your past actions.

Second, provide evidence for rehabilitation. The burden of proof is on you as the applicant to show that you are fit to practice law. If you have a criminal record, show the steps you’ve taken to correct your course and reconcile with the community, such as participating in community service. If you have had substance abuse issues or serious mental illness, have a discussion with the committee about your treatment, showing that you have gotten/are getting the help you need. If you’ve taken on irresponsible debt or haven’t been paying child support, provide proof of attempts to repay what you owe. Even though a creditor may require you to make large monthly payments, the Character and Fitness Committee would rather see you making small monthly payments than trying to avoid repayment at all. All these things, like candor, point toward your desire and ability to take responsibility for your mistakes and to be helpful rather than burdensome to the community that you will serve as a lawyer.

What are common Character and Fitness red flags that could lead to bar admission problems?

How can you try to overcome Character and Fitness problems?

Completing meaningful internship and volunteer work to provide sufficient evidence of current character and fitness. See, e.g., In re Bar Admission of Jarrett, 879 N.W.2d 116 (2016).

Providing character witnesses who know of your past offenses that will witness that you have accepted responsibility for your actions, who can testify of your current character, and who will support your admission to the bar. See, e.g., Bar Admission of Nichols, 895 N.W.2d 831 (2017).

Being completely candid on all applications about your personal history of financial mismanagement, substance abuse, or time in prison. See, e.g., Matter of Simmons, 414 P.3d 1111 (2018).